What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuous Improvement Intern position at Wolverine Advanced Materials?
About Wolverine Advanced Materials
Wolverine Advanced Materials produces and sells performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals used in gaskets for automotive & industrial applications; automotive brake noise insulators and NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) damping solutions for automotive.
Wolverine employs approximately 600 people worldwide and has manufacturing operations in Virginia, Florida, Germany, and China, as well as sales & technical offices in Michigan, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, and India.
Wolverine Advanced Materials, an entity of Center Rock Capital, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance materials. Our core competency is in performance-critical, specialty elastomer–coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the automotive and gasket industries.
Center Rock Capital is a company where they see potential where others may not look; and as a team we can find the right solution to the right challenge.
For more information, visit centerrockcp.com or wamglobal.com.
Job Title: Continuous Improvement Intern
Department: Operations – Blacksburg, VA (on-site)
Reports To: Continuous Improvement Manager (or assigned mentor)
________________________________________
Job Summary
The Continuous Improvement Intern supports the organization’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve processes across departments. This role provides hands-on exposure to continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and process mapping while working on real-world projects that drive measurable business results.
________________________________________
Key Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Learning Opportunities
Physical & Work Environment (Optional)
Wolverine Advanced Materials produces and sells performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals used in gaskets for automotive & industrial applications; automotive brake noise insulators and NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) damping solutions for automotive.
Wolverine employs approximately 600 people worldwide and has manufacturing operations in Virginia, Florida, Germany, and China, as well as sales & technical offices in Michigan, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, and India.
Wolverine Advanced Materials, an entity of Center Rock Capital, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance materials. Our core competency is in performance-critical, specialty elastomer–coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the automotive and gasket industries.
Center Rock Capital is a company where they see potential where others may not look; and as a team we can find the right solution to the right challenge.
For more information, visit centerrockcp.com or wamglobal.com.
Job Title: Continuous Improvement Intern
Department: Operations – Blacksburg, VA (on-site)
Reports To: Continuous Improvement Manager (or assigned mentor)
________________________________________
Job Summary
The Continuous Improvement Intern supports the organization’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve processes across departments. This role provides hands-on exposure to continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and process mapping while working on real-world projects that drive measurable business results.
________________________________________
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with identifying, analyzing, and documenting current-state processes
- Support continuous improvement projects focused on efficiency, quality, cost reduction, and customer experience
- Collect, organize, and analyze data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities
- Create process maps, value stream maps, and basic reports or dashboards
- Participate in Kaizen events, workshops, and cross-functional improvement meetings
- Help track improvement initiatives and key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Prepare presentations and documentation to communicate findings and recommendations
- Support change management activities, including training materials and standard work documentation
- Perform other duties related to process improvement as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
- Industrial Engineering
- Business Administration
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain
- Data Analytics
- Or a related field
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint (or Google Workspace equivalents)
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Attention to detail and willingness to learn
Preferred Qualifications
- Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement principles
- Familiarity with process mapping tools (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart, Miro)
- Coursework or experience in data analysis, statistics, or project management
- Basic knowledge of KPIs, root cause analysis, or change management
Learning Opportunities
- Hands-on experience with real continuous improvement projects
- Exposure to Lean/Six Sigma tools and methodologies
- Development of data analysis, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills
- Mentorship from experienced process improvement professionals
- Insight into cross-functional business operations
Physical & Work Environment (Optional)
- Operational environment
- May involve walking production areas or operational sites, depending on role